Welcome to the International Kiteboarding Association

Our Vision

To grow, evolve and promote the sport of kiteboarding across the globe and across all disciplines.

For more information please also visit our topic specific websites:

Formula Kite

The Formula Kite class is a high performance hydrofoiling class using regulated series registered production equipment freely available.

For Regional Games and a possible inclusion in the Olympic Games, one hydrofoil model and one kite model will be selected for a plain level playing field and to avoid an arms race.

KiteFoil GoldCup

The KiteFoil class is a full development class with minimal equipment limitation, allowing brands to test the latest equipment on the market.

The GoldCup tour is the sports premium event series with events all around the world and a strong focus on media production and prize money level.

Slalom

Slalom on TT:R (TwinTip boards) has been selected as the discipline and equipment for the Youth Olympic Games 2018 in Buenos Aires.

The focus of this high-octane discipline is on equipment handling and technique and includes reaching starts, reaching courses, and obstacels to jump.

Expression

The Expression Disciplines currently include Freestyle, Big Air, Wave Riding, Strapless Freestyle and Park. Competition is judged on difficulty and execution rather than "first past the post".

World Sailing, IKA and GKA have agreed to share the responsibilities for the Expression Disciplines with the Open World Titles awarded through professional tours.

Youth Olympics

Kiteboarding has been included in the 2018 Youth Olympic Games with a boardercross event on IKA TwinTip:Racing equipment, for boys and girls born between 2000 and 2003.

Have a look here to learn more about equipment limitations, formats and qualification opportunities.

Olympic and Regional Games

The IKA continues to campaign for an inclusion of kiteboarding in the 2020 Tokyo Games and several Regional Games on One Design Kitefoiling Equipment.

The Formula Kite class is the only afforadable solution for emerging and developing nations to compete in high performance classes and ticks all boxes of the IOC requirements, especially for youth and media appeal.

The 2014 Freestyle Junior World Championships began today in Sant Pere Pescador, Spain. In total, 31 heats were finished to secure results for the single elimination in the age groups of girls 13 and under, boys 12 and under, and girls 13-16. The boy’s age group 12-14 made it down to the semi-finals and the boys 15-16 reached the quarterfinals.

This is the PKRA’s second year holding this competition at the idyllic venue of Camping Ballena Alegre in Costa Brava. In total, 46 riders representing 18 nationalities registered to compete. At 12:00, the competitors gathered at the riders meeting with parents and support crew in tow. All were focused and listened intently to the briefing that covered the judging criteria and plan for the day.

Aside from the competition, which follows the same format and rules as the regular PKRA freestyle events, the event is intended to be a learning experience for juniors that want to purse a career as a professional rider. Throughout the week, riders will participate in a variety of clinics intended to prepare them for their journey to becoming a professional athlete.

By 1:30 pm, the thermal wind was in full cooperation and was averaging 16 to 20 knots with gusts up to 25 knots. The boy’s age group 12 and under was the first to hit the water. Riders used anywhere from 5m to 12m kites. At times, big holes would occur in the competition area as the wind shifted on numerous occasions throughout the day. With a packed beach of parents, friends and onlookers, the young rippers managed to keep their nerves in check despite the fact that for many, it was their first time in such a big event.

The level of riding witnessed today was impressive across the board. As the age of the riders increased, so did the variety and technical difficulty of the tricks that were being attempted. Amongst some spectacular crashes, there were many impressive maneuvers landed and the enthusiasm and dedication that was seen from the young riders today shows the promise of tomorrow’s world champions.

Following the end of the day’s competition, the opening ceremony took place to officially welcome the competitors and to consecrate the event. With the smiles of the first day of competition under wraps, riders paraded proudly to the stage and waved flags of their home country as they were introduced by country and name.

Tomorrows forecast is calling for strong wind from the opposite direction as today. The single elimination will resume, conditions permitting, after a riders meeting at 9am with a first possible start at 9:30am.

Special thanks to our industry partners that contributed support for this event: Airush, Best, Fone, North, and Ozone and Slingshot.

Stay posted to Facebook and Twitter feeds for start times, updates, and all the latest info from the PKRA World Tour.